Week 3 Lake Argyle

Day 24 - Week 3 Lake Argyle

Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Life continues. We get stronger! Still loving the life, and loving our days off (today) even more :) Things seem to be getting into a bit more of a routine. This last week I have been training in the shop/reception. Loads of fun, chaotically busy at times, talk about being a jack of all trades. Really looking forward to the day I can answer all the questions customers ask, without having to find another staff member to ask them.

Chauffeur is being renamed whilst we live here, as he is hardly driving (only once a week when we head into Kununurra for supplies). Two to three times a week he has been on garbage collections. Driving around in the ute and emptying all the wheelies bins (we have lots) the ute gets stacked high. Anyway, he is constantly finding stuff to bring home. The first week it was a camping chair, with broken arm. It is now fixed and is a great addition to the camping kitchen near us. Last week it was a little bench, now fixed it is a very useful little table in our own camping kitchen. Yesterday he acquired another chair (this time given to our neighbour whose chair had seen better days), and there are always magazines etc. so he is now called BB Harrison (bower bird). Speaking of which, there are hundreds of them living here. Such pesky things, always stealing, I have to cover the kitchen area when we are working as they jump in. They stole my dried mango fruit leather! There is a fascinating nest in between 2 cabins, it has an array of all the goodies they have 'acquired' laying on the ground in front of the nest -see photo.

Managed to download Michael Morcombe's Australian Book of Birds (ipad app) it is fantastic. The birds here are incredible. Yesterday we saw a Gouldian Finch, they are a very rare and endangered species. We walked out on to the bluff in front of the CP and then over to the old Durrack Homestead. It has been moved from its original site as that is now under the lake. Quite an amazing family.

We had a bush fire a few days ago. Accidentally started from a cigarette, the poor man was absolutely devastated, one of those genuine accidents, where he had done all the right things, but one spark escaped! Anyway, it went up the hillside, and we had quite a show all night. It is on its way to Halls Creek now! (see photo of dam, with blackened hill behind).

Our brakes (shoes/pads) arrived last week and BB manged to get them installed on Sunday Ravi when he finished early, along with the help of Little Dave, one of our wonderful neighbors. So we will be driving into town today without haring around the corners!!!speaking of haring, have heard there is a Hash House Harriers in town, might have to check it out, depending on when they run, and how serious they are :)

Well I thing that is most fond this week's news, stay tuned for next week' installment.

	Dam Wall [Map]		From Bluff to CP [Map]
	Bush Fired Dam Wall [Map]		Otherside of Durrack Homestead [Map]
	Pannekin Bay [Map]		Rock Window [Map]
	Infinity Pool [Map]		Bower Bird Nest [Map]

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Cruizin the Lake

Day 10 - Cruizin the Lake

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Started the day with an invite to cruise the Lake. Staff are 'obliged' to sample the cruises on offer at the resort, so we can market them! Oh yawn, this is so hard ;). Set off at 1:00 with Matt our Capt/host/guide for the afternoon. Full running commentary of the area, including all the lowdown on water levels, capacity, dam construction etc. very interesting. Historical info - the Durracks and influence on the area. Out to the island to fossic for zebra rock again. Very different from last time. The water was like glass. Up revolver creek, lots of bird life. Local sea eagle has come to expect a treat from Matt and (eventually) swooped down to retrieve a fish thrown out for him. A bit of competition from a Wedgie who attempted to swipe it off him. Lots of oohs and Aarhs from fellow (paying) passengers. All this topped off by an optional swim (for those with thick skin) and then they opened up the medicine chest! Oh yea, yes please. Cheese and biscuits as well. Yum. Eyes feasted, and tummy comfortable. Then the islands lit up by the setting sun.

We gave it a 10 out of 10 and will happily recommend it.

	Lake Argyle [Map]		Map [Map]
	Wake of Silver Cobbler [Map]		Sea Eagle coming in for the Catch [Map]
	Sunset posing [Map]		Sunset in the Kimberley's [Map]

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Lake Argyle

The sea change is happening. We spent the last few days around Kununarra getting prepared to work again. Getting the car serviced, (brakes worn out!) .

Arrived at our new place of employment 'The Lake Argyle Resort' Sunday afternoon. The place was awash with tourists, the reception a hive of activity, all 'parking attendants' rushed off our feet. The concrete pad they had reserved for us turned out to be unsuitable for our setup as we open out the wrong way. That has actually been a blessing in disguise. We moved over into the 'staff area' behind the main reception area and is a little less busy. Not totally quiet as there seems to be a refrigerated container nearby and the helipad is only 50 meters away, however, they are not that busy, and we are up well before their first flight. It is not busy (yet?) so never heard more than a couple of flights a day.

Our first duties have been the ablution blocks! Bonesy, who usually does them, had a funeral to attend down south and was away for the week, so we are well and truly trained in cleaning loos, showers, camp kitchens and laundrys. My neck and shoulders are suffering, but will be all good by next week. Malcolm also got to drive the ute around, collecting rubbish, and directing traffic, ie getting people assigned and helping them get their vans parked in the right spot.

Wednesday night was State of Origin (QLD/NSW). The restaurant was packed with tourists plus all the staff off duty, and the rest of them serving or in the kitchen. It was a lively evening, we had a good time.

In town (today and tomorrow off) filling up on groceries etc, and just enjoying a pub lunch, gosh this is a hard life being a grey nomad, think I could get used to this :)

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Day 1

Sunday, 1 July 2012

	Lake Argyle [Map]

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